D-class Sydney tram

D-class
D117 at The Spit
Manufacturer	Clyde Engineering Ritchie Brothers
Constructed	1896-99
Number built	25
Fleet numbers	93-121, 123
Capacity	32-34 (Seated)
Specifications
Train length	9.40 metres
Width	2.22 metres
Height	3.70 metres
Maximum speed	60 km/h
Weight	9.66 t
Power output	4 x 36 hp (later 60)
Electric system(s)	600 V DC catenary
Current collector(s)	Trolley pole
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The D-class trams were a class of single bogie Californian Combination type trams operated on the Sydney tram network with open cross benches at the ends and a saloon in the centre. ^[1] Seating capacity was originally 32, later being increased to 34.

134s (D102), 136s (D106), 112s (D117), 137s (D119) and 43s (D)123 always operated from Randwick Workshops. 131s (ex D99) saw service at Newcastle, along with 135s (ex D103) which later saw service at North Sydney. 132s (ex D105) and 133s (ex D116) saw service at both Enfield and North Sydney. ^[2]

43s was scrapped at Randwick, 112s was sold to a private buyer; 137s went to Brisbane as number 16 in their works roster ^[3] , and 134s went to the Sydney Tramway Museum. ^[4]

Preservation

Two have been preserved:

• 102 at the Sydney Tramway Museum, converted to track scrubber in 1930 and renumbered 134s, operational and was used as a track scrubber on:
  • the Eastern Suburbs railway line between:
    • 13 October 1978 and 22 November 1978 ^{[5] [6]}
    • between 24 March 1979 and 15 June 1979 ^{[7] [8]}
  • the Cronulla railway line 15 July 1983 ^[9]
  • the Wentworth Park light rail line in 1997 ^[10]
• 117 at the Sydney Tramway Museum, converted to breakdown car 112s in 1913 and is currently halfway through being returned to passenger configuration. ^[11]

References

1. McCarth & Chinn (1974). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. SPER.
2. "Trolleywire February 1979" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 7
3. MacCowan, Ian (1990). The Tramways of New South Wales. Oakleigh: Ian MacCowan. p. 116. ISBN   0 949600 25 3.
4. "Trolleywire February 1979" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 7
5. "Trolleywire October 1978" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 22
6. "Trolleywire December 1978" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 15
7. "Trolleywire April 1979" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 24
8. "Trolleywire June 1979" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 24
9. "Trolleywire August 1983" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. page 27
10. "Trolleywire August 1997" (PDF). Sydney Tramway Museum. pages 8 and 9.
11. "Restoration Of D117". Sydney Tramway Museum. pages 8 and 9

Further reading

• Chinn, N (1975). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. Vol. 1. South Pacific Electric Railway Cooperative Society. ISBN   9780959865967.
• McCarthy, Ken (1976). New South Wales Tramcar Handbook 1861-1961. Vol. 2. South Pacific Electric Railway Cooperative Society. ISBN   9780959865974.

External links

Media related to Sydney D-Class Tram at Wikimedia Commons